Midway University hosted a Commencement ceremony on Thursday, December 13 for a special group of students. Twenty-four students from Panama all received their undergraduate degrees.
The students came to Midway University as part of a program sponsored by the Panamanian Institute for the Development of Human Resources (IFARHU – Instituto para la Formacion y Aprovechamiento de Recursos Humanos). After completing high school in Panama, the students came to Midway in Spring 2014 and participated in a nine-month College Readiness Program. This program was developed by Midway University faculty and staff members and included courses in English conversation, leadership and cultural activities, and weekend excursions. After the students completed the College Readiness Program, they matriculated into the University as first year students.
“We congratulate this group of new alumni on their accomplishments,” said Dr. John P. Marsden. “The students came to Midway speaking little English and most had never traveled outside their home country. It has been a privilege to watch them learn, mature and grow and now be Midway University graduates ready to take on the world.”
Faculty member Gayle Bartilow and former staff member Emily Evans were the featured Commencement speakers. They each reflected on the accomplishments of the students over the past 4 years and 9 months and offered them well wishes.
The graduates are:
| Name | Degree Type | Degree Name | Hometown |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alexis Javier Aguirre Mojica | BA | Business Administration | Chiriqui, Panama |
| Glorisneth Yadhir Arcias Saenz | BA | Business Administration | Colon, Panama |
| Milagros Del Carmen Broce Pardo | BA | Business Administration | Veraguas, Panama |
| Maria Cristina Castillo Castillo | BA | Business Administration | Veraguas, Panama |
| Odalys Cedeño Gutierrez | BA | Education Studies: English | Darien, Panama |
| Jose Jesus Coronado Alveo | BA | Mathematics | Cocle, Panama |
| Katherine Milena Cortez Barria | BA | Interdisciplinary Studies | Chiriqui, Panama |
| Vielka Itzel Cruz Bonaga | BA | Education Studies: English | Los Santos, Panama |
| Elsy Elizabeth Duarte Arena | BA | Interdisciplinary Studies | Chiriqui, Panama |
| Dania Isel Frias Chavez | BA | Business Administration | Los Santos, Panama |
| Ilcia González Garcia | BA | Business Administration | Colon, Panama |
| Eliel Alberto Guerra Alveo | BA | Business Administration | Cocle, Panama |
| Velkys Lismeth Montemayor Jordán | BS | Health Care Administration | Chiriqui, Panama |
| Amado Manuel Mendoza | BA | Interdisciplinary Studies | Darien, Panama |
| Ibeth Karina Morales | BA | Business Administration: Accounting | Chiriqui, Panama |
| Beverly Murillo De León | BA | Education Studies: English | Darien, Panama |
| Rosaura Ortega Rodríguez | BA | Business Administration | Cocle, Panama |
| Nelydeth Peralta Cortez | BA | Business Administration | Los Santos, Panama |
| Carlos Manuel Pinto Villarreal | BS | Health Care Administration | Los Santos, Panama |
| Jarol Alexander Prado | BA | Mathematics | Los Santos, Panama |
| David Francisco Rios Gomez | BA | Business Administration | Panama City, Panama |
| Yiniva Madelen Sarmiento | BA | Business Administration | Veraguas, Panama |
| Marianela Valdés Concepcion | BA | Education Studies: English | Veraguas, Panama |
| Ada Lisbeth Valdés Santo | BS | Biology | Veraguas, Panama |